5 Things You Didn't Know about N.W.A.

Though one of the most influential rap groups and artists of the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, there are things that even some of the most loyal fans might not know about N.W.A and its members.

1.  Ice Cube went to College before the release of the album Straight Outta Compton.

At the conclusion of a tour in 1987, Ice Cube, aka. O’Shea Jackson, announced to the group that he was going to go back to school. He went on to get a diploma from Arizona’s Phoenix Institute of Technology in architectural drafting and design before returning to the group full time.

2. Dr. Dre originally did not want to record the single; “F**k tha Police”.

In 1988, Dr. Dre aka. Andre Romelle Young, was in and out of county due to traffic arrests. He thought that it would make the situation for himself worse if he were to release a song dissing the police authorities at the same time he was in jail.

3. The album; Straight Outta Compton was recorded and created in less than 6 weeks.

Just wanting to get something out there, the group came together in a short span to write, record and release 13 songs. Little did they know; this album would change the rap game forever.

4. The FBI was an important part of the group selling records.

Since MTV wouldn’t play their videos and radio stations wouldn’t play their songs, N.W.A really had to rely on word of mouth to sell their records. Something magical happened for the group as in 1989, the FBI sent a letter, accusing them of promoting violence and drugs in their music. The news outlets were all over the story and therefore so were ears everywhere.

5. Lead Vocalist, Eazy-E, passed away just 7 years after the groups debut album release.

On March 26, 1995, Eazy-E aka. Eric Wright, passed away suddenly due to complications with AIDS which was just over one month after his diagnosis. On March 16^th, just 10 days before his death, he publicly announced the news and was also able to make amends with Ice Cube that week as well, as the group had ‘broken up’. Just 10 months after his death, Eazy-E’s final album Str8 off tha Streetz of Muthaphukkin Compton was released.

Pictures:

https://festivalpeak.com/i-got-something-to-say-n-w-a-street-journalism-and-the-media-fb8e7eb1c17e

https://www.albumism.com/features/nwa-straight-outta-compton-turns-30-anniversary-retrospective

https://www.therichest.com/celebnetworth/celeb/rappers/eazy-e-net-worth/